Railway-track signal-actuating device.



J. E. JOHNSON, RAILWAY TRACK SIGNAL ACTUATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, I913.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

ILJLILJLI Fig.2

, INVENTOR. v John E. Johnean.

W1 TNESSES coumnm PLANOGRAPH IO-,WASHLNGTON, D. c.

Jenn E. JOHNSON, or annnnson,- rnnrana.

RAILWAY-TRACK SIGNAL-ACTUATING DEVIGE.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that 1, JOHN E. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Anderson, county of Madison, and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Railway-Track Signal-Actuating Device; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters refer to like parts. I

The object of this invention is to provide an improved track device for operating signals on a locomotive or cars of a railway train.

The chief feature of the invention consists in providing a slidable signal actuating device which is adjusted by the track signaling device so as to operate the proper signal on the train. 'In the form herein shown the signal actuating device is capable of controlling the operation of three signals on the train. The signals are preferably lamps in the cab of the motorman or engineer so that the track signal actuating means operates one of the signals in the cab and puts the signal light immediately in front of the mo torman or engineer.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a'plan view of a section of railway track, the signal stand being in horizontal section. Fig. 2 is a side of the track and signal stand beside the track, the semaphore arms being indicated in different positions by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical horizontal section through the train signal actuating mechanism on the line 33 of Fig. 1, the signal actuating arm being shown by dotted lines in operated position. Fig. i is a perspective view of the portable means for actuating the signals on the train.

There is shown herein a railway having rails 10 and ties 11, a siding 13 and a switch 14. An operators station, not shown, is connected by a connection 15 with a signal stand or post 16 having a semaphore arm 17 on the upper end thereof. The means for operating the semaphore arms and switch is not shown.

When the semaphore arm is horizontal, as,

shown by full lines, it will indicate danger and will correspond with the red signal on the car. The intermediate dotted line position of the semaphore arm corresponds with Specification of Letters Patent. 3 i

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Application filed June 1e, 1e13, Serial in 773,738.

and located side by side, it is desirable that the actuating means on the track may be adjustably movable into position to operate the desired signal on the car. Hence, a box 20 is mounted slidably in a frame 21 secured on and across the ties 11. On said box there is a signal actuating bar 22 fulcrumed be-. tween its ends at 23, said bar and fulcrum being located in a slot 24 in the top of the 4 box which extends longitudinally or parallel with the track. A weight 25 is pivoted to the lower end of the bar 22 so that said weight will maintain said bar normally in vertical position whereby it will project above the box 20 in position to actuate the signal means on the car. In order to cause it to operate the desired signal means on the car, the box 20 is made laterally adjustable by a rod 26 connected with said box 20 and extending transversely of the track and connected with the rod 15 by a bell crank 27 pivoted at 28. Therefore, when the rod or danger signal is thrown up on post 16, it will the train for operating the red light signal I therein. If the semaphore arm is moved to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 2, then the box 20 will be moved to the intermediate position so as to operate the green light signal on the train. When the semaphore arm is thrown down, the box 20 will be moved to the position shown in Fig. 1,

where it will operate the means on the train for operating the white light.

There is herein provided a signal means I in the railway for operating a plurality of means or signals on the train, and said adjustable means in the railway is controlled by the ordinary signaling apparatus and needs only to be connected with the same in the very simple manner shown.

The means shown in Fig. 4c is a portable device adapted to be carried on a train so that if any accident should happen to said train, said portable device can be carried to any place on the track in position so as to actuate the signal on another train. This portable device shown in Fig. 4 consists of a base plate 40 having on it an arm 41 similar to the arm 22 and which is fulcrumed at 42 to the top of the frame 43 rearwardly and has a lateral extension from the end adapted to catch between cross ties and prevent the device from being upset when it is struck by the apparatus on the train. The bar 41 is maintained in vertical position by a spring 45 extending from the lower end of said bar to the brace 44 and tending to return the bar 41 to normal position. A stop 46 on the frame 43 limits the return movement of the bar 41. A brace 47 extends from the frame 43 transversely of the railway track and its extreme end is turned at a right angle to lie under or against the railway rail for holding the frame 43 vertical.

There is shown herein the track device 20 operated by the switch 14 through a connection 15 to a switch signal station 16 and through the bell crank lever 27 and cross rod 26. In this arrangement the switch signal is moved only to two positions, one indicating danger and the other a clear track and, therefore, it operates only two of the signals on the car, one a red light and the other a. white light.

The invention is:

The combination of a railroad signal, and mechanism in connection with a railroad track for operating a plurality of signal means on a car, which mechanism includes a frame slidably adjustable to operate any one of said signal means separately, said frame having a slot therein, a bar pivoted between its' ends, and extending through the slot in said frame, means for holding said bar in and returning it to a vertical position, and means connected with said signal for adjusting said mechanism to operate any one of said signal means. i

In witness whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature in the presence of the witnesses herein named.

JOHN E. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

J. H. WELLS, O. M. MOLAUGHLIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). G. 

